For change in Fata

Part II
As far as the money given by foreign governments for the development of Fata is concerned one is shocked at the way it is frittered or diverted elsewhere. Had the money been utilised honestly and sensibly Fata would have become the most developed and modern area in all of Pakistan.
Nothing whatsoever has been done despite the fact that Fata is the focus of the world for obvious reasons. But sad to say our own government does not attach any importance to it. This is obvious from the paltry amount of Rs19 billion that was allocated in the budget for the full year for the entire area. This sum pales into insignificance when compared to the amount for the metro bus project alone in Rawalpindi on which more than Rs40 billion is to be spent. This shows how much the prime minister and his cabinet care about Fata.
Another astonishing illustration of how the government treats Fata is the fact that the Rs90 billion that was to be spent on development in Fata, from funds given to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, disappeared in the name of adjustment against electricity bill of that area. Has the government done something similar against outstanding electricity dues of other provinces/institutions? Not to my knowledge at least.
Yet another amount of 44 million pounds donated by the British government appears to be missing, as nothing substantial has been done in Fata to justify utilisation of this amount. On his recent visit to Pakistan the US secretary of state announced a donation of $250 million for the rehabilitation of IDPs. One can only hope it will be actually spent on that and not disappear in a black hole like the other amounts.
The governor, if he was really concerned about Fata, should have secured or got this money back and spent it on development in Fata to make a worthwhile difference rather than going after the funds of Fata members. If his intention was to curb malpractices he should have sorted out those political agents whose stories of corruption hit national headlines. If he is genuinely worried about the people of Fata he should honour his own commitment of giving them a ‘voice’ at every forum and struggle for getting them their right of empowerment.
Last but not least he should have abolished the permit system of his political agents whereby money is illegally extorted on each and every item that is transported from settled areas into Fata and vice versa. It is a different matter if he considers Fata to be a country outside Pakistan so the people there have to pay these import and export taxes. It is no wonder that political agents pay colossal amounts to be posted in Fata. They recoup this investment manifold mainly through these taxes.
For an outsider it is not easy to understand the intricacies and core issues of Fata. It takes years, particularly when everything is to be translated for him to understand. What sin have the people of Fata committed that the government cannot find a single person from amongst a population of over 10 million people capable enough to be made in-charge of the area?
Today’s Fata cannot afford imposition of people from outside who were not born there, do not have any understanding of the complex problems of the area nor are familiar with the tribal manner/code and traditions of tackling complex problems. Outsiders who cannot speak the language, cannot move freely, with or without security, and are not capable of handling the situation tactfully in accordance with local sensibilities are a curse on the area and the people and only end up making things worse.
Such mismanagement only made it easier for the militants to walk into Fata and take its population hostage within no time. In view of the fast changing situation in the region it is imperative for the state to hand over the responsibilities of Fata to a person from within the area who can help guard against the new kind of militancy spreading fast in the region from the Middle East.
It should be obligatory for the person so selected to constitute a ‘Fata council’ with an equal number of members from each tribal agency, with the council being entrusted with the job of taking decisions for that area instead of outsiders sitting in Rawalpindi or Islamabad. This is the need of the hour and this change must come very soon in order to bring peace to Fata if we consider it a part of this country and its people equal citizens of Pakistan.
Concluded
The writer is a former ambassador. Email: waziruk@hotmail.com